Park Güell – Gaudi’s gardens in Barcelona

For many people, a visit to Park Güell is a return to childhood. Impossible? No, considering that this place was designed by Antoni Gaudí, an expert in triggering our imagination.

History of the Park

In 1900, Eusebi Güell, an industrialist from Barcelona, decided to finance the creation of a housing estate for a wealthy middle class. It was supposed to be inspired by the English ‘garden-cities’, and as Güell was delighted with Gaudi’s designs, the two gentlemen quickly decided to cooperate.

The investment involved the construction of a complex of 60 houses. Unfortunately, after the first of them was built in 1904, there were no people willing to buy it … After 14 years of work, only 5 buildings were completed (one of them was eventually inhabited by Antonio Gaudi himself), but none of them was sold. In 1922, the area was bought by the city and turned into a municipal garden.

Visiting Park Güell

There are several places in the park that deserve particular attention. It is impossible to miss them when visiting this place, so let’s take a look at each of them:

• Former entrance to the park – its characteristic elements are the iron gate and two buildings next to it.
• Casa-Museu Gaudí – this is the former house of Antoni Gaudí, which is now a museum dedicated to this artist.
• The observation deck above the Column Hall – this part of the park used to be available for free, but now we have to buy a ticket to visit it. Is it worth it? It is, if you want to see the amazing panorama of Barcelona or sit on one of the longest benches in the world.
• The Column Hall (also known as the Hall of the Hundred Columns or the Hypostyle Room)
• Gaudi planned to locate a market in the column hall. This could be possible thanks to the dimensions of this place (86 x 40 m), as well as several practical solutions, such as drainage system which used the columns to drain off the water accumulating on the terrace.

FUN FACT: In the Hall of the Hundred Columns there are actually only 86 columns.

Tips for visitors

Take the binoculars. If you love birds, you won’t be disappointed. In Park Güell you can watch many bird species, which is what you will need binoculars for. One of the most popular birds is a short-toed snake eagle.

Rich vegetation in Park Güell

• Take your time. You need approximately 1-2 hours to visit the park. You can also spend an extra hour visiting the Casa-Museu Gaudí.
• Tickets. Remember that the entire park complex is divided into a paid and a free part. If you want to visit all possible sites, make sure to buy your ticket in advance to avoid the queues.
• Souvenirs. On the paths of Park Güell, you will find many people who illegally sell souvenirs (and more). You will know it’s them if they run away once they see the police…To avoid problems, buy souvenirs in the Park’s buildings.
• How to get to Park Güell? You can take the subway, bus (including tourist buses), taxis or just walk. If you are not in good shape, the latter option won’t be the easiest one for you, as Park Güell is located on quite a high hill.

Practical information

• It’s best to buy tickets to Park Güell in advance. You will then avoid standing in a long queue and avoid the risk that all tickets have been sold out.
• Opening hours: From 1 January to 24 March: from 8:30 AM to 6:15 PM. From March 25 to April 29: from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM. From April 30 to August 26: from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM. From 27 August to 27 October: from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM. From October 28 to December 31: from 8:30 AM to 6:15 PM.
• Buy Tickets on GetYourGuide

Park Güell on a map

Discover Catalonia

Each region of Spain is divided into provinces. Their names often coincide with the names of their main cities. Catalonia is divided into four provinces, each of which has different tourist attractions and interesting places to offer:

Province	Tourist attractions and interesting places
Barcelona	Gothic Quarter Barri Gòtic, La Rambla, Montjuïc, cable railway Telefèric de Montjuïc, Magic Fountains (Font Màgica), La Boqueria, Laberint d’Horta Park, Poble Espanyol, Camp Nou, Torre Agbar, oceanarium in Barcelona, Barcelona Zoo, Tibidabo Amusement Park, Palace of Catalan Music, National Art Museum of Catalonia, Picasso Museum, Catalan Museum of Archaeology, Miniature Park - Catalunya en Miniatura, MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona, Generalitat Palace, Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (La Mercé), Cathedral of Barcelona, remains of the temple of Augustus, Els Quatre Gats Cafe, Erotic Museum, Santa María del Mar Church, Port Vell, Plaça de Catalunya, Parc de la Ciutadella, Parc de Collserola, Casa Amatller, Palau Güell, Passeig de Gràcia - luxury street in Barcelona, Montserrat Monastery. Barcelona's neighborhoods and districts (El Raval, El Born, Sant Pere, Les Corts). Gaudi's Monuments: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, Pabellones Güell, Bellesguard, Casa Vicens, Casa Calvet. Popular cities: Barcelona, Torrelles de Llobregat, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Tarrasa, Badalona, Sabadell, Mataró, Santa Coloma de Gramanet, San Cugat del Vallés, Cornellá de Llobregat, San Baudilio de Llobregat, Rubí, Manresa, Villanueva y Geltrú, Viladecans, Casteldefels, El Prat de Llobregat, Granollers, Sardañola del Vallés, Mollet del Vallès, Gavá, Sant Antoni de Vilamajor
Girona	Salvador Dali Museum, Museum of Miniatures and Microminiatures Micro Mundi, Sausage Museum. Popular cities: Girona, Figueres, Besalú, Blanes, Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Olot, Salt, Palafrugell, San Felíu de Guixols, Rosas, Bañolas, Palamós, Santa Coloma de Farnés, Castellón de Ampurias Torroella de Montgrí, La Bisbal del Ampurdán, Ripoll, Castillo de Aro, Calonge, La Escala, Cassá de la Selva, Castellfollit de la Roca
Lleida	Popular cities: Lleida, Tárrega, Balaguer, Mollerusa, La Seo de Urgel, Cervera, Solsona, Alcarrás, Guisona, Almacellas
Tarragona	Amusement and theme parks: PortAventura. Popular cities: Tarragona, Reus, Vendrell, Tortosa, Cambrils, Salou, Valls, Calafell, Amposta, Vilaseca